How much did chicken cost in 1988?
Chicken averaged $0.85 per lb in 1988 — about $2.41 in 2026 dollars.
12 monthly observations · Source: BLS series APU0000706111.
In 1988, chicken averaged $0.85 per lb at the U.S. city average, across all twelve months, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics average price data. The monthly price ranged from $0.74 in January to $0.98 in September. Over the year it rose from $0.74 in January to $0.89 in December, a 19.6% increase.
Adjusted for inflation, $0.85 in 1988 is worth about $2.41 in 2026 dollars. Today chicken averages $2.04 per lb, so in real terms it is 16% cheaper than it was in 1988. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 140% versus the 1988 average.
1988 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $0.74 | ▲ 0.5% |
| February | $0.75 | ▲ 0.7% |
| March | $0.75 | ▲ 1.1% |
| April | $0.76 | ▲ 0.9% |
| May | $0.80 | ▲ 4.7% |
| June | $0.87 | ▲ 9.1% |
| July | $0.94 | ▲ 8.0% |
| August | $0.96 | ▲ 2.6% |
| September | $0.98 | ▲ 1.5% |
| October | $0.93 | ▼ 4.4% |
| November | $0.89 | ▼ 4.3% |
| December | $0.89 | ▼ 0.8% |
| 1988 average | $0.85 |
FAQ
What was the average price of chicken in 1988?
Chicken averaged $0.85 per lb in 1988, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $0.85 of 1988 chicken worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $0.85 in 1988 is about $2.41 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 1988 price of chicken compare to now?
Chicken now averages $2.04 per lb, up 140% from the 1988 average of $0.85.
Cite this
Basket Report. "Chicken price in 1988 (U.S. average)." Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. Retrieved June 26, 2026 from https://basketreport.com/prices/chicken/1988/. Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000706111. <a href="https://basketreport.com/prices/chicken/1988/">Chicken price in 1988 (U.S. average) — Basket Report</a> (data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000706111; retrieved June 26, 2026) Basket Report. (2026). Chicken price in 1988 (U.S. average) [Data set]. Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. https://basketreport.com/prices/chicken/1988/